Algeria Strengthens Rai Music with New Cultural Reforms and International Festival

Algeria’s Ministry of Culture and Arts announced on Wednesday a series of new organizational decisions aimed at promoting Rai music both nationally and internationally, while enhancing efforts to preserve and valorize this iconic cultural heritage.

According to the official statement, the ministry has decided to establish the International Rai Music Festival in the city of Oran. This annual event is expected to become a major global cultural gathering, bringing together leading artists, researchers, and enthusiasts of Rai music, while fostering cultural exchange and expanding its international reach.

This initiative aligns with Algeria’s commitments following the inclusion of Rai music in 2022 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It reflects the country’s responsibility to safeguard, promote, and showcase this musical tradition on a global stage.

As part of organizing the new festival, the ministry appointed Houssam Eddine Harzallah as commissioner to oversee its inaugural edition and guide its cultural vision, ensuring it meets international standards and ambitions.

In parallel, the National Rai Festival will return to its original home in Sidi Bel Abbès, recognized as one of the historical birthplaces of Rai music. The festival had been temporarily hosted in Oran since 2022. This restructuring aims to create a complementary balance between the national and international dimensions of Rai promotion.

Nadjis Zerhouni has been appointed as commissioner of the National Rai Festival, bringing her experience in managing cultural events to further develop its organization and impact.

These reforms are part of a broader national strategy to modernize cultural festivals, support artistic creativity, and reinforce Algeria’s position as the historical cradle and global reference of Rai music.